SDFWA

San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association

Special Interest Groups

 

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are designed to offer any SDFWA member the
opportunity to meet with other woodworkers who have a focused interest (e.g. epoxy,
hand tools). All SIGs are free and open to all SDFWA members to attend, no sign-up in
ProClass is needed. If a SIG session will use power tools (e.g. Luthier or Toy SIG) that
activity is restricted to shop members, although non-shop SDFWA members can still
participate.


The timing of SIGs is often nights or weekends; check the calendar
before coming to the SIG to ensure the schedule has not changed.

Carving SIG

New and experienced carvers work together, sharing tips and appreciating each other’s work, and enjoying the company. 

Meetings: First and Third Monday of the month from 6:30 – 8:30pm in the Benchroom.

Contact: Mick Yarbrough

Participants: Everyone welcome!

Digital Tools SIG

A community of woodworkers who use computer-controlled tools. We learn from each other, support our member’s projects and become inspired by the work of others.

Our interests cover lasers, CNC, dye sublimation and 3D printers as well as specialty tools like Shaper Origin and vinyl cutter.

Meetings: 10:30 on the last Saturday of the month in the Member Shop library.

Contact: Peter Tobias (peter.tobias@sdfwa.org); Digital Tools SIG 

Participants: Everyone welcome!

Digital Tool Projects

Hand Tools

New and experienced woodworkers gather to share their knowledge, skills and passion for hand tool work. Learn how to enhance your work by using hand tools to carry on where the machines leave off. All members of SDFWA are welcome 

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7pm at the shop (NO MEETINGS in July-August)

Contact: David Weissman (dweissman38@gmail.com)

Participants: Everyone welcome!

Planned Agenda:

  • September 3:  Hand tools buying guide: how to start buying tools and not go bankrupt! (Greg Rice)
  • October 1: Hand cut dovetails: Part 1 (David Weissman)
  • November 5: Hand cut dovetails: Part 2 (David Weissman)
  • December 3: Build a wedged marking gauge (Joe Powers)

Epoxy SIG

The Epoxy Special Interest Group is for those who are interested in incorporating epoxy into their projects. Rob Sandstrom leads discussions and demonstrations about all things related to epoxy. 

Members show off some of their latest projects and the group helps each other resolve the challenges that develop when using epoxy.

Meetings: Third Saturday of each month in the shop classroom at 9:00 AM.
 
Contact: Rob Sandstrom (robsandstromdesigns@gmail.com)
 
Participants: All skill and experience levels are welcome. Join us to become inspired and learn how you can make some amazing projects with epoxy. 
 
Click here for Epoxy SIG’s resource files. 

Toys SIG

One of the on-going Community Services of SDFWA is our toy-making program. The program provides materials with which our members make hand-crafted wooden toys. 

Meetings: 8:00 AM on the third Sunday of each month.

Contact: Jim Strawn (jlstrawn1949@icloud.com)

Participants: Everyone welcome!

Luthiers SIG

The Luthiers Special Interest Group is for those who are interested in making stringed instruments. Mike Davis leads the group in discussions and demonstrations about all things related to the creating of stringed instruments. Drop by to share your interest or be inspired.

Meetings: Most Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in the classroom at the shop

Contact: Mike Davis (davism858@gmail.com)

Participants: Everyone welcome!

Holiday Gift Sale Workshop 

Socialize while creating beautiful objects to be sold at the Holiday Gift Sale each November. Suitable for a variety of skill levels. You can work on your own project or join a community project that’s underway.

Meetings:

  • Fridays from 8:00 to noon.
  • Third Tuesday of each month 5:00 – 9:00 PM

Contact: Alan Lewis (alewisca@gmail.com)

Participants: Everyone welcome!

Fundamentals SIG

Learn about a variety of fundamental woodworking skills. New topics every month. For both beginners and the more experienced.

Meetings: Last Sunday of each month at 3:00 PM.

Contact: Wes Berneberg (wesly@cox.net)

Participants: Everyone welcome!

Turning SIG

A vibrant hub for those interested in spindle and bowl turning. This SIG provides a supportive environment where members share technical expertise, discuss tool maintenance, and exchange tips on material selection and finishing techniques.

Meetings: Check Calendar

Contact: Melody Nuckowski (melody.nuckowski@sdfwa.org)

Link to Resources

Participants: Everyone welcome!

Craftsman Referral Terms

BACKGROUND
The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the education, promotion, and execution of the principles of fine woodworking.
The SDFWA frequently receives requests from people seeking the service of a woodworker. Therefore, although custom woodworking for hire is not the purpose of our organization, we offer this referral service to the public so that they might connect with a woodworker.

SCOPE
SDFWA does not screen or warrant the skills or work of any craftsman. The public should use their own discretion and due diligence before hiring any craftsman, from any source, including this one.
The sole role of SDFWA in this referral service is limited to providing our member woodworkers with your completed form. It is up to each craftsman to initiate a contact with the requester.

PROCEDURE
After a requester submits a project, the form will be emailed to our list of participating craftsmen. If a craftsman is interested in the project, they will contact the client directly, and a two-way conversation can begin.

As the craftsmen themselves choose which projects to respond to, this means that it is probable that some project requests will receive no response. If you do not receive a response in a reasonable time, please submit your request again, using the provided referral form.
Note that contacting SDFWA directly will not achieve the desired results.

DISCLAIMER
By agreeing to these Terms, and by continuing to submit this Referral Form, and by utilizing one or more of the services of any of these craftsmen, you are agreeing to contract exclusively with that individual craftsman and to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the SDFWA Organization, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of this agreement, and any and all failures, damages, or otherwise negative outcomes caused directly or indirectly by the craftsmen you employ to do any project initiated by this Form. This does not preclude you from pursuing legal remedies from the individual craftsman that you employ. But any remedy you pursue is restricted to that individual craftsman, and does not include the SDFWA organization or any of its volunteer members.

Agree
Disagree